Validation of the Accutrend Plus point-of-care triglyceride analyzer in horses, ponies, and donkeys.

This research article focuses on the assessment of the accuracy and reliability of a point-of-care (POC) triglyceride analyzer for measuring the blood and plasma triglyceride concentrations in horses, ponies, and donkeys. The results reveal that the analyzer is effective and dependable for use in clinical settings, though specific reference intervals should be established for diagnosis and monitoring of hypertriglyceridemia in these animals.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

• The main aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of a point-of-care (POC) triglyceride analyzer in analyzing blood and plasma triglyceride concentrations in equids including horses, ponies, and donkeys. The study was performed in a university teaching hospital with 120 healthy adult equids and 79 equids suffering from hypertriglyceridemia.
• Analysis methods were straightforward. The researchers determined the reference intervals for healthy equids and those struggling with hypertriglyceridemia with the POC analyzer. Following this, they compared the results with those from a standard laboratory assay to identify any inaccuracies.

Results of the Study

• The results showed that the POC analyzer consistently overestimated the triglyceride concentrations when stacked against the standard laboratory assay.
• However, the difference between the blood and plasma triglyceride concentrations was minimal and clinically insignificant, indicating that the POC analyzer was reliable.
• Moreover, the analyzer’s coefficient of variation was below 10% for both blood and plasma triglyceride concentrations in horses and donkeys, irrespective of concentration ranges. This reliability was seen in healthy equids and those suffering from hypertriglyceridemia.
• The reference intervals for healthy equids (less than 0.8 mmol/L or less than 70 mg/dL) were lower than those for donkeys (ranging from 0.82-3.14 mmol/L or 73-278 mg/dL for blood, and 0.87-3.02 mmol/L or 77-267 mg/dL for plasma).

Conclusions of the Study

• Though there were instances where the analyzer overestimated triglyceride concentrations, it proved to be reliable and suitable for use in clinical settings for measurement of blood and plasma triglyceride concentrations in horses, ponies, and donkeys.
• The authors suggested the need for determining specific reference intervals for diagnosing and clinically monitoring hypertriglyceridemia in equids.